100% sure, everywhere in the U.S., as of at least the early '90s. Practices vary; some places will charge you with something meaningless and drop it when they

100% sure, everywhere in the U.S., as of at least the early '90s. Practices vary; some places will charge you with something meaningless and drop it when they release you. According to wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detention_of_suspects http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detention_of_suspects you can be held without charge for 2 days. I have been told by criminal lawyers the time is 72 hours (maybe that is with charge, regardless of if its dropped or manginess).